The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has strongly condemned the anti-democratic behaviour and conduct exhibited by Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili, PF Deputy Secretary General, Anthony Kasolo and Chongwe MP, Sylvia Masebo on ZNBC newsroom staff for carrying their journalistic duties.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi said the trio’s conduct is uncalled for and a danger to the growth of the media and Zambia’s a democracy.
Mr Chipenzi said the conduct and behaviour do not warrant the officials to be in those positions of leadership they currently hold because they are extremely misfits to any democratic type of leadership.
He said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the trio has already forgotten that a few years ago they were in the opposition and will not be in government forever.
He said FODEP hopes Zambians will open their eyes and ears and seriously rethink the type of leaders they would want to lead them ahead of the elections in 2015 and 2016 especially that some of them misbehaving are potential presidential candidates in their own political parties.
Mr Chipenzi has, however, appreciated and commended the ZNBC Board for the timely defence of the defenceless journalists at ZNBC whom politicians want to take advantage of by using intimidatory tactics.
He said the comprehensive statement from ZNBC Board Chairperson, John Mulwila, on behalf of ZNBC Board, is highly timely and commendable and a rare trait and move by any ZNBC Board over the years.
Mr Chipenzi has since called on Acting President, Guy Scott, to show leadership by disciplining the named senior members of the PF and lecturing them on how to behave democratically.
He said failure to do so will only make the ruling party, which he said is already fractured with internal wrangling, to become even very unpopular.
He said Zambia belongs to all Zambians and not a few individuals who should act to deny the public information just because it is divergent to theirs in order to advance and shape their political motives.
Mr Chipenzi stressed that ZNBC is not a PF propaganda wing but has an obligation and a moral mandate to inform the nation and to be fair and balanced in their coverage as guided by their editorial policy.
He said at this crucial electoral moment, Zambians should be allowed access to every bit of information so that they make informed electoral decisions for the betterment of the country and more so for ZNBC to abide by the provision of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Mr Chipenzi encouraged ZNBC journalists and other media houses to report things the way they happen without fear or favour as that is the role of media in a democratic country.
You people let us also talk about the plight of TAZARA Workers who have been working hard without receiving their salaries for 6 months now. Just today, two children for the same workers have died due to starvation. People like the TAZARA Operations Officer Mr. Mandona is very corrupt and practices nepotism by firing workers anyhow and replace him with his relatives or people who bribe him. Let the ACC investgate and arrest this man. He is a disgrace to TAZARA just like Chishimba Kambwili.
@ Edgar Maambwe: I agree with you 100%. TAZARA WORKERS are realy suffering but the Politicians and the Online Media are busy with politics and not focusing on important National Matters like Tazara plight. These workers have really suffered for too long. Just imagine, workers not being paid for 5 to 6 months yet they have children and wives to look after. Chishimba Kambwili is a fool. HH is winning these elections.
I feel sorry for TAZARA Workers. Acting President Guy Scot should to something before this week end to solve the problem in TAZARA. Mr. Mandona of Mpika is a great liability to the company as he is firing workers, 2 every after 2 months and he replaces them with his relatives. Let the government remove this criminal and let him spend his days in prison for his has killed a lot of people through his policies.
Sylvia Masebo once worked in media, she is in a better position to understand how someone feels when treated that why. Why when people join politics the way of thing, morals and compassion for other goes doing. Shame on you greed “leader”.
Journalists in Zambia have themselves to blame. They are docile and not united. They fight among themselves and undress each other in public. They do not know the power they have and respect they would command if they were united in defending their profession and themselves. In Zambia instead of politicians fearing journalists, it is the other way round. Journalists are deadly scared of politicians. Journalists in Zambia go on their knees to beg for crumbs from politicians. Stand up and value your profession and do not allow political riff-raffs to mess you up. Show them the power you command. Expose Kambwili how he destroyed the Ndola-Luanshya railway line which he sold as scrap metal. Some of these so called leaders are supposed to be behind bars instead of in position of leadership.
KAMBWILI HAS DUG “HIS ON PIT”
There is every bit of foolishness in Kambili’s exposed acts of thug life by storming ZNBC News room and making foolish drama disturbing professional at work. Our satellite news channel had warned that ZNBC under PS Kasolo was going to become a circus of fools and they have gone there to prove our point.
It is not long ago, when this ugly IDI AMIN stormed UNZA radio in the same fashion. The chap is such a lunatic he can say anything anytime anywhere to anyone…He rants and boats from his croaking fat throated neck to his round flabby belly. This is a moron who dreams of being head of state for GOD’S SAKE! A head, may be of a chicken…please. Another GUY!
ZNBC has been told, keep away from the cartel, now we see their house raided by a dinosaur,…
There should be a verifiable punishment meted out to people like Masebo, who proudly repeated at her press conference that she called Maduma ‘incompetent’. If she goes ‘Scot’ free it will definitely show that the whole PF is rotting from indiscipline.